Man accused of attacking co-worker in restroom

A man remains in the Lake County jail on accusations he sexually assaulted a teenage co-worker in a Gurnee Mills clothing store last week.

Sampharn A. Peanpokven, 32, of 118 Wren Court, Glendale Heights, was charged with criminal sexual assault in the Aug. 29 attack, authorities said. He's held on a $750,000 bond in the county jail.

Gurnee police Cmdr. James Caldwell said Peanpokven was working with the victim, a 19-year-old Waukegan woman, when he told her to clean the clothing store's restroom because other employees complained about it being dirty.

Caldwell said Peanpokven followed the teen into the bathroom and sexually assaulted her.

"He kind of had her trapped in there," Caldwell said.

No one else was believed to be in the store when the attack occurred, Caldwell said. He said the teenager fled the clothing shop and reported the attack to police about 11 a.m. Aug. 29.

On Aug. 27, Caldwell said, Peanpokven inappropriately touched the teenager while both were in the Gurnee Mills store. Peanpokven stopped at the woman's request and the incident wasn't reported that day, Caldwell said.

Caldwell said investigators are awaiting evidence for the case from the Northern Illinois Police Crime Laboratory.